ISSUE 2 - 2020 STATE OF THE 2020 FROZEN FOOD INDUSTRY ISSUE 2/2020 content 06 FROZEN 24 BAKERY & PASTRY FINGER FOOD Understanding More than Just Consumers' a Category Expectations 28 ICE CREAM 12 FROZEN PIZZA TRENDS It’s Always Time Rethinking an for (Frozen) Pizza! All-Time Favorite 32 MEAT 16 TECHNOLOGY SUBSTITUTES Innovation is Key in Plant-based Meat: Frozen Food Technology An Expanding Trend 03 COMMENT AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED BOGDAN ANGHELUTA web & digital editor hile this year canceled any predictions made prior and redesigned virtually any expectations, there were promising results in some aspects. Frozen food sales continued to surge, even as restrictions were being lifted in W most countries around the world. This might serve as a good indicator that consumers are getting accustomed to the idea that frozen has many more benefits than they previously knew. 'Frozen is sometimes better than fresh' is still something that has to be explained, but this time to an audience that is much more open-minded. Traditionally, people looked at frozen as a secondary option when time allowed for cooking, as fresh produce was considered to have more health benefits. Although studies continuously showed that is not the case, it takes a certain level of involvement and availability to take in this information. Ironically, it took restrictions on movement for people to comprehend all the benefits frozen food can offer, especially (but not restricted to) its prolonged shelf life. Another instance that helped achieve this level of awareness was the trend toward healthy and organic. Most of the manufacturers I've interviewed for this issue of the Dossier, regardless of their main area of expertise, say this is now the hotspot. As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that meat substitutes and in general plant-based ingredients are now widely used, whether in convenience or other frozen products. We should also expect to see other proteins, eg fish, Ironically, it took restrictions take this route. The first attempts targeted dairy, on movement for people to then meat, and now it’s safe to say we’re in the N middle of a major shift in terms of proteins used in comprehend all the benefits meals. In the end, consumers create trends and frozen food can offer, especially manufacturers follow them, so turning to healthier food was bound to reflect in final products coming (but not restricted to) its from frozen food companies. prolonged shelf life. Retailers also contribute to this trend, as more are creating dedicated areas for plant-based meat, just as they used to (and still do) when it comes to bio/organic. Again, this should help sales of frozen food, as plant-based meat does tend to have an even longer shelf life than regular frozen meat. All in all, it looks like a massive opportunity for frozen food to gain a well-deserved place on every shopping list. The question is: Where will the industry head now? Feel free to share your thoughts at [email protected] 04 FROZEN FINGER FOOD MORE THAN JUST A CATEGORY 06 Frozen food had a lot to gain from an otherwise uneasy situation, as the COVID-19 pandemic made consumers turn to eat at home. One of the most popular segments remained that of finger food, albeit adapted to new, healthier preferences. rozen finger food has that the company will be able to preserve and been a best-seller for a continue the good results of the last few years into long time, but the new the coming year. “We are currently engaging in F consumption habits initial discussions with our customers and clients developed since the regarding plans for 2021. This year is a little beginning of 2020 might different as many of our appointments are carried just show a fundamental out as digital meetings.” change in terms of what shoppers buy when they Frostkrone's bestsellers, such as Chilli Cheese visit a store. Figures are already showing that Nuggets and Jalapeňo Snacks were particularly in customers start leaning towards frozen: in the UK, great demand at the beginning of the year. for example, sales of frozen food have continued Through the lockdown, the company experienced to surge and increased by GBP221m in the last less impulse buying. On the contrary, stockpiling three months (to the week ending September 6), seemed to be the order of the day. according to the latest statistics from Kantar and As for new developments, these closely follow the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF). The the up-to-the-minute lifestyle of the young, growth in sales follows an increase of GBP285m dynamic and professional target group, a in the previous 12-week period from the end of clientele that is permanently on the lookout for a March to June 14, indicating that the popularity of new hedonistic culinary experience and also for frozen food has continued to grow despite the variety, Dervieux explains. easing of lockdown restrictions. The Kantar figures also reveal long-term frozen sales are increasing. Data covering the 52 weeks from We are in the comfortable September 9, 2019 to September 6, 2020 shows position of operating from several sales of frozen food reached GBP6.9bn, an N increase of 9.7% in value, and that volume grew to locations worldwide and 8.4%. In comparison, sales of fresh and chilled supplying our goods to the trade food increased in value by 7%. and foodservice sector at an "We know that since mid-March, more consumers than ever have been shopping in the frozen aisle. international level; of course, this This is hardly surprising, given the long shelf-life, is, at the same time, a challenging reduced food waste, value for money, and a position to be in. variety of food on offer there. These latest figures indicate this may be a long-term trend”, Richard Frédéric Dervieux, CEO of Frostkrone Food Group Harrow, BFFF chief executive said. „As far as we are concerned, the sky's the limit CATERING TO EVERY TASTE when it comes to raw materials and also when it Despite the impact of COVID-19 and the global comes to ideas. We are constantly in the process lockdown, the Frostkrone Food Group can report of developing and refining our skills and ideas a positive balance for the third quarter of 2020, further. For us, the bedrock of all this has always according to Frédéric Dervieux, CEO of been and still is quality. That applies to the raw Frostkrone Food Group. materials and their handling and similarly to the “Our sales figures are very stable, indeed they are subsequent preparation of the food at the even rising, and the order situation continues to be customer's home.” very good. We are in the comfortable position of Everything has simply got to be just right when it operating from several locations worldwide and comes to deep-frozen finger food and snacks, he supplying our goods to the trade and foodservice says, as consumers tolerate no compromises here. sector at an international level. Of course, this is, The company relies on long-term supply at the same time, a challenging position to be in. relationships and performs both internal and Our customers have got to know and appreciate external auditing, thus remaining vigilant. Before us as a reliable and very flexible partner and they the market launch, all products are also tested to are always pleased to take us onboard when it double-check their handling, i.e. to ascertain comes to developing and producing new product whether there might be any issues in their final ideas.” For all these reasons, Dervieux is optimistic preparation. And the reason, Dervieux adds, is 07 Photo: Le Duc European countries. As a result of COVID-19, the growth of frozen snacks almost doubled in that area. “The Netherlands (according to Nielsen figures) showed us a growth rate of 23%, while meat substitutes showed even higher growth of more than 30%,” Le Duc representatives point out. “Of course, we saw a big difference in channels. While retail was growing, the sales in foodservice were severely hurt from March to June. Now, foodservice sales are also recovering within vegetarian appetizers. Bestselling product lines were for sure the cheese appetizers like Camembert Bites and Chili Cheese nuggets. During the summer we saw a lot of interest in Influenced by generation Z, the our inspiration recipes with wraps (filled with millennials, and the emotions vegetarian, natural ingredients) and sweet N potato fries.” concerning COVID-19, The main influencing consumer trends are still consumers intend to eat less 'healthy' and 'sustainability', company meat and more natural (plant- representatives say. While good taste and good quality remain the first conditions when buying, based) ingredients. people are more conscious now in choosing Le Duc Fine Food B.V. their food. “Influenced by generation Z, the millennials, and this: the promise that the product makes about the emotions concerning COVID-19, consumers quality and taste has to be kept, otherwise the intend to eat less meat and more natural (plant- consumer will decide to buy the competitor's based) ingredients. This flexitarian trend affects product the next time around. not only home consumption but is also jumping Frostkrone's new free-from range called into the out-of-home consumption. To use "GreenDate" has just been launched. “The idea frozen convenience products feels safe and gives behind the concept is this: ingredients that you the advantage of stockpiling. Both advantages fit can see and taste – and that are as natural as COVID-19 consumption and preparation they are delicious.